U.S. Marine commandos stormed a pirate-held cargo ship off the Somalia coast Thursday, reclaiming control and taking nine prisoners without firing a shot in the first such boarding raid by the international anti-piracy flotilla, U.S. Navy officials said.

How come we never got to do cool ops like this when I was in the Marines?

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougstephvoor

Why can't the people sailing the ships, just arm them selves and shoot the thieves, when they try to board the ship. Shooting down on a group of clowns in a rubber boat would be a lot of fun.

Any people who are dependant on some one else defending them, end up locked in a little room.

Traditionally, if they arm themselves they run the risk of violating many international maritime laws and facing steep fines, penalties, extra taxes for the owners/operators, confiscation of ship and cargo, loss of licenses, jail time for the crew and owners... Unfortunately, the pirates have realized that the maritime laws are so convoluted and opaque that no courts want to step up and prosecute anybody. Thankfully, foreign militaries have started to patrol the waters on a regular basis over there.